Introduction to the environment — Environmental Concerns — Marine Hazards — Restrictions due to fishing

The environment, and its protection from any possible adverse effects of commercial activities, is of prime concern to the Falkland Islands Government.

Several pieces of legislation have been enacted to protect the environment: these are modelled on UK laws. The Offshore Minerals Ordinance 1994 and the Marine Environment (Protection) Ordinance 1995 provide the basis for the environmental protection legislation. Further provisions ensuring the protection of the environment are contained in individual production licences.

Environmental Impact Assessments

Before drilling operations can be started, licence holders must conduct a full environmental impact assessment (EIA). EIAs will be reviewed by the Government and its specialist advisors, and will also be made available to local non-governmental environmental organisations. Licensees will be expected to take account of the findings of any such reviews, and make any changes to the EIA considered appropriate by the Government. The EIA should contain a plan for minimising any potential environmental threat perceived as a result of planned operations, as well as a strategy for dealing with any adverse effect on the environment caused by the operations. EIA’s for the current round of drilling are available here.

The first six wells drilled in the North Falkland Basin in 1998 were covered by a single EIA (prepared on behalf of FOSA* by ERT Ltd), which can be downloaded from this site (the 1998 EIA for the North Falkland Basin). This EIA does not automatically cover any further wells to be drilled elsewhere in the North Falkland Basin, nor future wells drilled in the same blocks as those wells drilled in 1998. However, it forms a good starting point for future EIA work-ups.

*FOSA stands for the Falklands Offshore Sharing Agreement, an umbrella organisation comprising all operators working in the North Falkland Basin in 1998. FOSA ran a single supply base and rig management system, and all its members contributed equally to the EIA assessment and other environmental studies before drilling.

Climate

The Islands are at about 52°S, and are therefore at a similar latitude south as London and Calgary are north. The climate of the Falkland Islands is similar to that of northeast Scotland, and exploration activity can take place for most if not all of the year.

Climate's effect on exploration activity

Seismic surveys conducted around the Islands since 1992 have tended to be acquired during the Austral summer months of December to April.

However, examination of the weather and seismic acquisition statistics demonstrates that exploration is possible for most of the year. The annual weather downtime for seismic activities is just 19%.

1 - discount downtime due to mechanical failures

2 - small quantity data collected

Note:these statistics include data up to 2001 only. More recent data are yet to be added. For further, more recent information, please see Time taken to carry out seismic surveys in Falkland Islands Designated Area - April 2006

[Top]

The Falkland Islands are a haven for many species of penguin, albatross and other sea birds, seals, as well as marine mammals such as whales, etc.

All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Ordinance 1992.

Some parts of the coastline and many of the smaller islands are designated as protected areas. Care should be taken not to disturb these habitats during exploration operations.

Highlights

Offshore Operations

Companies conducting surveys or drilling operations in Falklands waters must demonstrate to the Government that they are able to conduct their operations with minimal impact on this sensitive environment.

[Top]

There are numerous rocky islets and some shoals around the Falklands, particularly in inshore waters. Known shallows are recorded on the Admiralty charts for the area (refer to Admiralty chart 2505 for a small-scale map of the area and an index of larger-scale charts). Bathymetric data acquired during speculative seismic and gravity surveys may be purchased from the contractors who conducted the surveys.

Kelp (seaweed) is common around the Islands and grows on many submerged rocks. It is a sign of danger and should be avoided and can itself be a hazard to seismic operations.

Shipwrecks and war graves

There are numerous wrecks in inshore waters dating back to the last century when the Falklands played an important role as a repair port for ships damaged while rounding Cape Horn. Six wrecks lying within Falkland waters result from the World War I Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8th December 1914. All six of the 1914 wrecks lie in water deeper than 500 m.

Further wrecks, resulting from the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina, also lie dispersed throughout Falklands waters. Some of the wrecks are designated war graves and must not be disturbed (for further information please contact the Director of Mineral Resources.

Sea bed conditions

There has been no systematic, extensive sampling programme, and therefore little is known about the precise nature of sea-bed sediments. In general, the sea bed appears to be hard, and is seen as a strong seismic reflector in places. Apparent bottom simulating reflectors have been observed, suggesting the possibility of gas hydrates in places, particularly in the deeper waters above the South Falkland Basin.

A shallow sampling and drilling-site specific high-resolution seismic programme was conducted in the North Falkland Basin before the six exploration wells were drilled there in 1998. Although the high-resolution data indicated the potential for shallow gas hazards in the basin, no such hazards were encountered during drilling. The potential hazard from shallow gas accumulations was minimised, at most well sites, by drilling pilot holes before the full-size exploration hole. The Government would require operators to conduct site-survey investigations at any proposed drilling location before permission would be granted to spud wells.

There are no pipe lines, stationary sub-sea military installations, dedicated shipping lines or operating phone cables in the offshore area. Military manoeuvres are possible at any time but can be structured so as not to interfere unduly with exploration work.

Notifications of offshore activity

All exploration activity must be advised to the Falkland Islands Government at least 30 days in advance, and could be subjected to temporary restrictions due to military or fishing activities.

[Top]

The sale of fishing licences provides the largest single source of income for the Falkland Islands, and fishing fleets tend to occupy a large swathe of Falklands offshore waters for significant time periods.

Because of the economic importance of the fishing fleets to the economy of the Islands, certain restrictions are placed on geophysical survey activities around the Islands. In summary, these restrictions are:

Further details of restrictions on seismic activity can be obtained from the Department of Mineral Resources in the Falkland Islands.

Care must be exercised during seismic acquisition to ensure that no damage is done to the potential catch of the fishing fleets. Co-ordination for marine activities can be provided by the Fisheries Department, based in Stanley; the Fisheries Department monitors the activity of the fishing fleets on a daily basis.

[Top]